SOUTH KOREA’S Constitutional Court unanimously removed Yoon Suk Yeol from the country’s presidency today.

The verdict comes four months after Mr Yoon threw the nation into turmoil with an ill-judged declaration of martial law.

The verdict capped a dramatic fall for the right-wing former prosecutor who became president in 2022, just a year after he entered politics.

In a nationally televised hearing, the court’s acting chief Moon Hyung Bae said the eight-member bench found Mr Yoon’s actions were unconstitutional and had a grave impact.

Judge Moon said: “By declaring martial law in breach of the constitution and other laws, the defendant brought back the history of abusing state emergency decrees, shocked the people and caused confusion in the society, economy, politics, diplomacy and all other areas.

“Given the negative impact on constitutional order caused by the defendant’s violation of laws and its ripple effects are grave, we find that the benefits of upholding the constitution by dismissing the defendant far outweigh the national losses from the dismissal of the president.”

Anti-Yoon protesters near the court erupted into tears and danced when the verdict was announced late in the morning. 

Outside Mr Yoon’s official residence, many supporters cried, screamed and yelled at journalists when they saw the news of the verdict on a giant TV screen. 

A protest leader shouted: “Anyone who accepts this ruling and prepares for an early presidential election is our enemy.”

Mr Yoon said in a statement that he deeply regrets failing to live up to the public’s expectations, but stopped short of explicitly accepting the verdict. 

Mr Yoon’s ruling People Power Party said that it would accept the decision.

Prime Minister Han Duck Soo, the country’s acting leader, vowed to maintain public safety and order and ensure a smooth transition to the next administration.

A new presidential election will now be held within two months. 

Surveys show Lee Jae Myung, leader of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party, is the early favourite to win the upcoming presidential by-election, though he faces several trials for corruption and other charges.

Mr Lee welcomed the ruling and credited the South Korean people for “protecting our democratic republic.”

Mr Yoon also faces charges of rebellion in connection with his decree, a charge that carries the death penalty or a life sentence if convicted. 

His removal from office also costs Mr Yoon presidential immunity. This means he could face other criminal charges, such as abuse of power, in connection with his martial law decree.